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COVID-19: Operational Update for Partners
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens health systems worldwide and will impact existing efforts to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Global Fund is making funds and flexibilities available to support countries to continue to deliver impact in existing grants, develop quality new grants for the next cycle and strengthen health systems while responding to COVID-19.
This update outlines the flexibilities the Global Fund is introducing to its processes, as follows:
- Funding requests: New submission dates have been added so countries have more flexibility to present their funding requests and move to grant-making shortly after.
- Guidance Notes: Technical guidance is rapidly being developed in response to the new pandemic, its relationship to HIV, TB and malaria, and the implications for the Global Fund. The Global Fund strictly follows WHO guidelines. Internal guidance for the three diseases has been shared with Global Fund staff and currently available on the website.
- Supply Chain: The Global Fund is assessing potential delays for every single purchase order processed through its Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM).As of today, 9% of orders face delays of more than 30 days. By mid-April we will have visibility on deliveries expected in 2020, which will be helpful for mitigating delays and facilitating timely support to Principal Recipients. See available guidance for Principal Recipients.
- CCMs: engagement and transparency within funding request development and oversight of existing investments remain key areas of work to maintain during COVID-19. While eligibility requirements remain unchanged to ensure these core responsibilities of CCMs continue, flexibilities introduced include adapting funded activities to the COVID-19 response and reprogramming savings from reduced travel costs as agreed with your Country Team and the CCM Hub at the Secretariat.
Over the coming weeks, the Global Fund will issue further communications to partners on the following topics: disbursements, supply chain and procurement. Please visit our website for further updates.
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Guidance on COVID-19
To fight COVID-19 and mitigate the impact this pandemic will have on programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria in vulnerable contexts, the Global Fund is enabling countries to use up to 5% of approved grant funding to help protect and treat vulnerable communities.
Under the new guidelines, the Global Fund is encouraging countries to redeploy underutilized assets, repurpose grant savings and, in exceptional cases, reprogram funding from existing grants.
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Revised Submission Windows for New Funding Requests
The Global Fund has introduced flexibilities for funding request submissions for Windows 2 and 3, allowing applicants to submit funding requests as soon as they are ready, and moving to grant-making shortly after. Technical Review Panel (TRP) Review and Recommendation Form will be delivered within 8-weeks of submission date. Applicants select submission dates that allow enough time to complete grant-making and prepare for implementation before the grant starts.
Window 2 submission dates:
Window 2a: 30 April
Window 2b: 31 May
Window 2c: 30 June
Window 3 submission dates:
Window 3a: 31 July
Window 3b: 31 Aug
Applicants currently registered for Window 2 will be automatically moved to 2b, and Window 3 to 3b. Global Fund Country Teams are responsible for adjusting registration, as needed.
More updates related to funding requests can be found in this Q&A.
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Other Processes
- Delegation in the event of COVID-19-related absences. Internal processes at the Secretariat are being put in place to ensure back up of staff in case of illness, including all functions of Country Teams. A delegation approach and different contact points for your Country Team will be communicated in due time.
- Submission timelines and minimum requirements for completion and validation of defined Progress Updates and Disbursement Requests (PU and PUDRs or PU/DRs) are in place. The guidelines vary according to PU/DR deadlines, with extensions of up to 30 days for upcoming deadlines. For the PU/DRs with reporting periods ending March, April and June COVID-19 specific minimum reporting requirements are outlined in this document.
- CCMs can adapt activities funded by the CCM funding agreement to the COVID-19 emergency response. As CCMs are encouraged to strengthen remote participation and engagement, particularly from communities, and those living with the diseases, members are invited to opt for remote attendance to meetings, releasing savings to be reprogrammed from the reduced travel costs. Additional flexibilities on the use of CCM Funding can be discussed with the Global Fund Secretariat CCM Hub Focal Point and Country Team. For more information on CCM flexibilities and requirements check the Q&A which is being regularly updated with the latest guidance.
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The product supply situation as a result of COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, affecting key materials and ingredients, finished health products and logistics As of 30 March 2020, the Global Fund’s product and delivery outlook shows the overall impact of COVID-19 on health product supply chains for Global Fund grants has increased to moderate.
Delivery delays of a few weeks or more are currently expected. The Global Fund is assessing potential delays for every single purchase order processed through its Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM). As of today, 9% of Pooled Procurement Mechanism orders face delays of more than 30 days. By mid-April will have visibility on deliveries expected in 2020, which will be helpful for mitigating delays and facilitating timely support to Principal Recipients.
All transport modes are impacted, and cost increases are expected. Rapid approval of freight estimates by Principal Recipients may permit securing the best currently available option, while approval delays may lead to missed shipping slot opportunities, further delays and cost increases.
Country Teams and Supply Operations are working with Principal Recipients to review mitigation plans, adjust delivery quantities and adapt lead times. All PRs are asked to submit requisitions and request forms by 10 April for all 2020 deliveries, both for PPM and non-PPM grants.
Customized labelling will no longer be accepted during this period.
Procuring Personal Protective Equipment and other COVID-19 emergency medical supplies. WHO has consolidated a list of COVID-19 critical items. Principal Recipients are strongly encouraged to source Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other emergency COVID-19-related medical supplies through national or regional channels as early as possible to minimize supply delays or disruptions.
Only if Principal Recipients face significant challenges sourcing PPE through local channels, should they reach out directly to UNICEF Procurement Services and order through their catalogue. UNICEF is best placed to provide support with expertise in emergency procurements and long term agreements with suppliers of these products.
Currently, Global Fund grant funds can be used to purchase emergency COVID-19 response products directly from UNICEF. Countries that decide to procure on their own can have the Global Fund make payments on their behalf by using a third-party payment mechanism.
Principal Recipients for TB programs may also source PPE products through theStopTB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility. There are severe global supply constraints for these products and Principal Recipients should expect normal or extended lead times when procuring through UNICEF or the Global Drug Facility.
Additional Information:
Health Product Supply updates can be found here.
COVID-19 Impact on Supply Chain Logistics: Assessment and Recommendations - 30 March 2020
COVID-19 Procurement and Supply Update for Global Fund Principal Recipients - 19 March 2020
Regular updates on the supply security situation for products and logistics are here.
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Guidance Notes
Global Fund investments and advice to Principal Recipients and implementers strictly follow WHO guidelines. An aggregated list of partner COVID-19 technical guidance can be found on the Global Fund website.
The Global Fund Secretariat has also prepared internal guidance for its staff, which is being updated on a regular basis, informed by ongoing discussions with WHO and other key partners. An external version of these guidelines will be made available on the Global Fund website in the next week.
In the meantime, the following internal key messages are intended to support countries to operationalize WHO guidelines, adapting them to COVID-19 and country-specific contexts.
HIV
- HIV investments should protect continuation of essential HIV services, focusing on treatment and prevention.
- COVID-19 response should be in line with WHO guidance and the country specific situation.
- Swift service adaptation and the increase of resources to civil society and communities to boost their capacity is encouraged.
- Support multi-months- dispensing of ARVs to ensure people on treatment have the drugs they need while reducing the frequency of visits to health facilities. Include important consumables for prevention and treatment, such as condoms, ARVs for PrEP, methadone/ buprenorphine for Opioid Substitution Therapy, in adapted procurement plans. Support is available from Regional HPM managers; Supply Operations and HIV country focal points.
TB
- Those living with TB are expected to be disproportionately impacted, as both TB and COVID-19 are respiratory conditions.
- Preliminary reports from countries affected by Covid-19 have shown a sharp decline of TB notification and quality of services
- Following FDA approval of COVID-19 test (Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2) using GeneXpert machines used in TB programs, the Global Fund having discussions with the manufacturer and other stakeholders.
- TB services can be impacted in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and at the health systems-level.
Malaria
- Malaria control and elimination activities must continue, with modifications where appropriate, to avoid an upsurge in morbidity, mortality, and further stress on health systems.
- The WHO urges countries to continue malaria services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Partners continue to develop guidance on how to conduct LLIN campaigns as safe as possible given the current context.
- Forthcoming guidance covers case management, prevention, distribution, IPTp, Communication, M+E and cross cutting considerations.
RSSH
- Balance the demands of the acute response to COVID-19 with the maintenance of essential health service delivery, including for HIV, TB and malaria.
- Ensure decentralized and flexible financing so health facilities can respond more effectively to the local context.
- Strengthen laboratory support systems as diagnostic testing is critical for tracking the virus, understanding epidemiology, informing case management and suppressing transmission.
- Govern, equip, train, motivate and maintain the health workforce, with particular attention to community health workers.
- Strengthen community systems to allow for effective communication, case detection and management, as well as establishing trust in health system.
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Please feel free to forward this update to Principal Recipients, sub-recipients and other relevant in-country partners involved in Global Fund-related processes.
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